Flotation device for a light-weight watercraft

ABSTRACT

A floatation device for a light-weight watercraft having a hull includes a frame member having a hull engaging member and float engaging member, and at least one float is held on the float engaging member. The floatation device is located below the hull of the boat. The hull engagement member is either a post for engagement with a scupper through the hull, or a strap for engagement with the gunwale of the watercraft. The float engagement member includes at least one member for engagement with the float. The float has a generally conical front end and a longitudinal hole therethrough for engagement with the member of the floatation engagement member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is directed to a floatation device for a light-weight watercraft, such as a kayak or a canoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light-weight watercraft include kayaks and canoes. Kayaks and canoes are most often self-propelled, for example by paddles. In use, they are typically laden with gear and/or may be equipped with a motor (for example see co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/556,725 filed Dec. 1, 2014, incorporated herein by reference). When so loaded, portions of the watercraft may sink and make the craft off-balanced. The position and weight of any load may disrupt the craft's center of buoyancy resulting in issues with the propulsion and/or management/maneuvering of the watercraft.

The instant invention solves the issues arising from the overburdening of a light-weight water craft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A floatation device for a light-weight watercraft having a hull includes a frame member having a hull engaging member and float engaging member, and at least one float is held on the float engaging member. The floatation device is located below the hull of the boat. The hull engagement member is either a post for engagement with a scupper through the hull, or a strap for engagement with the gunwale of the watercraft. The float engagement member includes at least one member for engagement with the float. The float has a generally conical front end and a longitudinal hole therethrough for engagement with the member of the floatation engagement member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an environmental (elevational) view of several embodiments of the instant invention mounted on a light weight watercraft.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiments shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is another isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown, in FIG. 1, a light-weight watercraft 10 illustrating several embodiments of the instant invention (discussed in greater detail below). The watercraft 10 is afloat, as indicated by waterline 18. Additionally, the watercraft is burdened 20, for example, with a motor system (it being understood that the burden is not limited to the motor system, but may be any burden and the burden may be placed anywhere within the watercraft).

The watercraft 10 may be any light-weight watercraft. For example, the watercraft 10 may be a kayak (as shown) or a canoe. The watercraft generally includes a hull 12, a stern 13, a bow 14, a gunwale 15, and a scupper 16 (see FIG. 2).

The watercraft 10 may include a floatation device 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the floatation device 30 is located toward the stern 13 and in proximity to the burden 20. The placement of the floatation device 30, however, is not so limited. Instead, the floatation device 20 may be placed anywhere along the hull 12 of the watercraft 10. The floatation device 30 should be placed in proximity of the burden, so that the floatation device may offset the weight of the burden and righten the draft of the craft (i.e, level out the craft in the water). In FIG. 1, for example the burden 20 (a motor and its battery) weighs down the stern, so that the stern sits lower in the water than the bow. Placement of the floatation device 30 adjacent the burden 20 tends to righten the hull, so that the craft sits in a generally level relation to the waterline. In another example (not shown), the burden 20 may be place in (or near) the bow, then the floatation device 30 should be place in proximity of that burden.

The floatation device 30 may be located below the hull 12, or, in other words, may be below the waterline 18. The floatation device 30 may be submerged below the waterline 18. This placement adds little additional drag to the craft 10.

The floatation device 30 may have any configuration. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6 are merely examples of certain ways to implement the invention. The floatation device 30, as illustrated, generally includes a frame member 32 having a hull engagement member 34 and a float engagement member 36, and a float 38 held on the float engagement member 36.

The float 38 may be made of any buoyant material. The buoyancy of the float (s) 38 should be sufficient to offset the weight of the burden 20. The float 38 may have any configuration. The float 38, as shown, is generally cylindrical with a generally conical front end and a longitudinal channel therethrough. The float 38, however, may have any configuration. As an example of an alternate configuration, the float 38 may be generally rectangular in shape with a tapered, e.g., triangular or beveled, (not shown), front (or leading) end, and a channel therethrough. There may be a single float 38 or a plurality of floats 38. As shown, the floats 38 number 4, but there may be any number of floats, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, or more. The channel through the float 38 is for receipt of the frame 32, as will be evident from the discussion below.

The frame 32 may have a hull engagement member 34 and a float engagement member 36. The frame 32 may be made of any light-weight material. In the embodiment shown, the frame 32 is made from PVC tubing.

In the embodiment shown, the floatation engagement member 34 generally comprises a generally rectangular system of horizontal members 40 with a float 38, for example, slipped over each one of those members (i.e., via the channel through the float). The leading and trailing end of member 34 may be joined together, whereby the movement of the float 38 may be limited to their placement on the member 40. The floatation member 34 may be contoured to conform to the shape of the hull 12 or may be horizontal.

The frame 32 may also have a hull engagement member 34. The hull engagement member is for securing the floats 38 to the watercraft 10 below the hull 12 or submerged below the waterline 18. The hull engagement member 34 may take any configuration, so long as the floats are held fast below the hull and/or submerged below the waterline.

In one embodiment, the hull engagement member 34 may include a vertical post 42 joined to the float engagement member 36. As shown, the frame 32 includes two vertical posts 42. These posts 42 extend upwardly and are adapted to slid through scuppers 16.

In another embodiment, the hull engagement member 34′ may include a strap 44. In this embodiment, the strap 44 extends form one gunwale 15, over a surface of the float 38, to the opposing gunwale 15. The end of strap 44 may have brackets 46. The bracket 38 may have a hook shape for engaging the gunwales. Additionally, the strap 44 may include a tightening mechanism (not shown), so that any slack in strap 44 may be removed.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A floatation device for a light-weight watercraft having a hull comprises: a frame member has a hull engaging member and float engaging member, and at least one float is held on the float engaging member, the floatation device is located below the hull of the boat.
 2. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein the float has a generally conical front end.
 3. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein the float is a plurality of floats.
 4. The floatation device of claim 3 wherein the plurality of floats is at least three floats.
 5. The floatation device of claim 3 wherein the plurality of floats are generally aligned in a horizontal plane.
 6. The floatation device of claim 3 wherein the plurality of floats are generally aligned to the contour of the hull.
 7. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein the hull engaging member comprises a generally vertical post for engagement with a scupper through the hull.
 8. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein the hull engaging member comprises two generally vertical posts for engagement with scuppers through the hull.
 9. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein the hull engaging member comprises a strap.
 10. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein the hull engaging member comprises a strap fastened between two gunwale engagement members.
 11. The floatation device of claim 10 wherein the gunwale engagement member is generally shaped as a hook.
 12. A floatation device for a light-weight watercraft having a hull comprises: a frame member has a hull engaging member and float engaging member, and at least one float is held on the float engaging member, the floatation device is located below the hull of the boat, the hull engagement member is either a post for engagement with a scupper through the hull or a strap for engagement with the gunwale of the watercraft, the float engagement member includes at least one member for engagement with the float, the float having a generally conical front end and a longitudinal hole therethrough for engagement with the member of the floatation engagement member. 